Put brinjal slices in a colander and sprinkle with salt, pepper and the extra lemon juice. Allow to rest, to extract the bitter juices. To make the dressing, put the lemon juice, sugar, red chilli and garlic in a bowl and mix until the sugar has dissolved. Heat a frying pan and gently fry each brinjal slice for three minutes on each side or until slightly golden and cooked through. Place on a plate and drizzle dressing over it. Toss rocket in olive oil, salt and pepper and place over brinjal. Drizzle with some more dressing and serve.

Barbeque Spare Ribs

Meaty ribs slow-cooked in a spiced braise until fall-off-the-bone tender and melting.

Method: Put all the ingredients in a large pot, and add one litre water. Simmer ribs in the liquid on medium-low heat for two hours. Remove ribs from the pot and bring the braising liquid back to a simmer. Cook until reduced to one-third the quantity or till it reaches a saucy consistency. Add ribs to the sauce and stir until well coated. Garnish with spring onion greens and serve immediately.

Method: Take a handful of the prawns in batches and roll in the flour. Shake off the excess and dip in the egg, ensuring each prawn is well-coated; then roll in the crumbs. Coat all the prawns in this manner. Deep-fry the prawns in hot oil in batches until golden brown and crunchy, for about three to five minutes, ensuring the prawns don’t stick to each other, and the temperature of the oil is maintained. Drain excess oil on paper towels. Serve hot with a creamy chilli mayonnaise dip.

Steamed Fish with Soya and Ginger

Tender, melt-in-the-mouth fish steamed with the delicate flavours of ginger and salty soya. A healthy main course.

Method: Arrange the fish fillets on aluminium foil. Mix the spring onions, ginger, vinegar, soya sauce, sugar and white pepper together, and spoon this mixture over the fillets. Sprinkle mushroom juliennes over the fish. Steam in a vessel over boiling water for five or six minutes, or until fish is cooked through. Serve hot.

Stir-Fried Morning Glory

Take a bite of health with this spicy stir-fry of morning glory with chillies and garlic.

Method: Put morning glory in colander and steam over boiling water for two minutes. Heat oil in a wok and add garlic. Sauté for a few seconds and add chillies and salt. Add morning glory, yellow bean paste and mushroom-oyster sauce and sauté well, adding 4 tbsp water. Sauté well until sauce thickens a little, and serve immediately with steamed rice.